Reduced depth data storage assembly and rack server

ABSTRACT

A method of making a reduced-depth rack server includes: forming a tray structure of a carrier having a service panel attached to two opposed side panels and a bottom panel; inserting a longest dimension of a data storage device in a sideways orientation with at least one electrical connector of the data storage device proximate to a selected lateral panel; electrically connecting a first electrical connector of an interposer cable to the at least one electrical connector of the data storage device; and attaching a second electrical connector attached to one of the tray structure and the data storage device directed towards an insertion end of the data storage assembly in an orientation opposite to the service panel and aligned to electrically connect with a backplane of a reduced-depth rack server in response to the tray structure being inserted in a rack server chassis.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/316,148, filed Jun. 26, 2014, which is fully incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

This disclosure generally related to information handling systems, andmore particular to a data storage assembly that is front or top loadedinto a rack server.

2. Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continue to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems (IHSs). AnIHS generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes, therebyallowing users to take advantage of the value of the information.Because technology and information handling needs and requirements varybetween different users or applications, IHSs may also vary regardingwhat information is handled, how the information is handled, how muchinformation is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly andefficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated.The variations in IHSs allow for IHSs to be general or configured for aspecific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing,airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications.In addition, IHSs may include a variety of hardware and softwarecomponents that may be configured to process, store, and communicateinformation and may include one or more computer systems, data storagesystems, and networking systems.

Standardization of dimensions of rack servers fosters design andmanufacturing economies for information technology (IT) components thatare part of an IHS. Rack assemblies, such as those based on a nineteen(19) inch frame size in lateral width, have a lateral dimension definedto handle full-width server sleds containing IT gear for computingand/or storage. However, shallower depth rack server chassis may berequired to accommodate situations where physical space is extremelyconstrained. Some examples include the military where servers areinstalled in vehicles. Another example is telecommunication applicationswhere rack rooms can be extremely small. However, the functionality of arack server tends to require a number of components that are difficultto fit into a single product. Thus, the end-to-end component stack up ofPCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) adapters, memory,central processing unit (CPU), fans, backplane, and hard disk drive(HDD)/HDD carrier exceeds the allowable 20″ in depth.Isolation/vibration damping requirements can increase a depthrequirement, further complicating any efforts to reduce the depth of arack server.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure provide a datastorage assembly for a reduced-depth rack server. In one embodiment, thedata storage assembly includes a data storage device having a carrierand at least one electrical connector on a front end. The carrierincludes a tray structure having a service panel attached to two opposedside panels and a bottom panel. The tray structure is sized to receive alongest dimension of the data storage device in a sideways orientationwith the at least one electrical connector proximate to a selectedlateral panel. An interposer cable has a first electrical connectorelectrically connected to the at least one electrical connector of thedata storage device and has a second electrical connector attached toone of the tray structure and the data storage device directed towardsan insertion end of the data storage assembly in an orientation oppositeto the service panel. The second electrical connector electricallyconnects with a backplane of a reduced-depth rack server in response tothe tray structure being inserted in a rack server chassis.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, areduced-depth rack server is provided for utilization within a reduceddepth rack. In one embodiment, a data storage assembly of thereduced-depth rack server includes a carrier and a data storage devicehaving at least one electrical connector on a front end. The carrierincludes a tray structure having a service panel attached to two opposedside panels and a bottom panel. The tray structure is sized to receivethe data storage device in a sideways orientation with the at least oneelectrical connector proximate to a selected lateral panel. Aninterposer cable has a first electrical connector electrically connectedto the at least one electrical connector of the data storage device. Asecond electrical connector of the interposer cable is attached to oneof the tray structure and the data storage device directed towards aninsertion end of the data storage assembly in an orientation opposite tothe service panel. The chassis of the reduced-depth rack server includesa side panel having a slot to receive the insertion end of the datastorage assembly in the rack server chassis, and a backplane of a rackserver to electrically connect with the second electrical connector ofthe interposer cable in response to the tray structure being inserted.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a method isprovided for making a reduced depth rack server. In one embodiment, themethod includes: forming a tray structure of a carrier having a servicepanel attached to two opposed side panels and a bottom panel; andinserting a longest dimension of a data storage device in a sidewaysorientation with at least one electrical connector of the data storagedevice proximate to a selected lateral panel. The method furtherincludes electrically connecting a first electrical connector of aninterposer cable to the at least one electrical connector of the datastorage device. The method includes attaching a second electricalconnector attached to one of the tray structure and the data storagedevice. The second electrical connector is directed towards an insertionend of the data storage assembly in an orientation opposite to theservice panel. The second electrical connector is thus aligned toelectrically connect with a backplane of a rack server in response tothe tray structure being inserted in a rack server chassis.

The above presents a general summary of several aspects of thedisclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of at least someaspects of the disclosure. The above summary contains simplifications,generalizations and omissions of detail and is not intended as acomprehensive description of the claimed subject matter but, rather, isintended to provide a brief overview of some of the functionalityassociated therewith. The summary is not intended to delineate the scopeof the claims, and the summary merely presents some concepts of thedisclosure in a general form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that follows. Other systems, methods, functionality,features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be or willbecome apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of thefollowing figures and detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read inconjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated thatfor simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to otherelements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosureare shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example reduced-depth rackserver within which various aspects of the disclosure can beimplemented, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a data storage assembly beingconnected to a backplane of the reduced-depth rack server of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of a data storage assembly withseismic gaps for shock mounting being connected to a backplane of thereduced-depth rack server of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of sideways mounting a data storagedevice in a carrier to form a shortened data storage assembly for thereduced-depth rack server of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative design of a data storage assemblyhaving a carrier that includes a cam lever, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates the alternative design of a data storage assembly ofFIG. 3 including an interposer cable having an overlaid connector,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of an example reduced-depth rackserver, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of an example top loaded chassiscontaining a Just a Bunch of Disk (JBOD) arrangement of data storageassemblies; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for reducing the depth ofa reduced-depth rack server, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present innovation provides a reduced-depth rack server for areduced depth rack that includes a data storage device rotated a quarterturn within a carrier to form a data storage assembly. The data storagedevice presents its longest dimension sideways in the carrier to form adata storage assembly with a reduced depth as measured along its axis ofinsertion into the reduced-depth rack server. An interposer cable, whichis also part of the data storage assembly, has a first connector thatconnects to a laterally presented electrical connector of the datastorage device. The interposer cable provides a second connector to aninsertion end of the data storage assembly. The first and secondconnectors of the interposer cable are connected by an L-shaped cable,such as a folded, flat bus cable. The data storage assembly is insertedinwardly into a rack server chassis to electrically connect with abackplane of the reduced-depth rack server. In one embodiment, a datastorage assembly is inserted from a front end of the rack serverchassis. In one embodiment, the data storage assembly is inserted from atop of the chassis to facilitate airflow.

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure maybe practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice the disclosed embodiments. For example, specificdetails such as specific method orders, structures, elements, andconnections have been presented herein. However, it is to be understoodthat the specific details presented need not be utilized to practiceembodiments of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and that logical, architectural,programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be madewithout departing from general scope of the disclosure. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense,and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

References within the specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “embodiments”, or “one or more embodiments” are intended toindicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of such phrases invarious places within the specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternativeembodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, variousfeatures are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments andnot by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which maybe requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names and/or corresponding acronyms thereof, such as those ofthe executing utility, logic, and/or firmware described herein, are forexample only and not meant to imply any limitations on the describedembodiments. The embodiments may thus be described with differentnomenclature and/or terminology utilized to describe the components,devices, parameters, methods and/or functions herein, withoutlimitation. References to any specific protocol or proprietary name indescribing one or more elements, features or concepts of the embodimentsare provided solely as examples of one implementation, and suchreferences do not limit the extension of the claimed embodiments toembodiments in which different element, feature, protocol, or conceptnames are utilized. Thus, each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that terms isutilized.

FIG. 1 illustrates a two-dimensional block diagram representation of anexample reduced-depth rack server 100, within which one or more of thedescribed features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can beimplemented. A data storage assembly 102 has a reduced depth, thusallowing a corresponding reduction in depth of a rack server chassis104. As a two-dimensional image, certain of the presented components areshown in different orientations relative to each other for simplicity indescribing the connectivity of the components. For purposes of thisdisclosure, an information handling system (IHS), such as reduced-depthrack server 100, may include any instrumentality or aggregate ofinstrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit,receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect,record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or otherpurposes. For example, an IHS may be a handheld device, personalcomputer, a server, a network storage device, or any other suitabledevice and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, andprice. The IHS may include random access memory (RAM), one or moreprocessing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardwareor software control logic, read only memory (ROM), and/or other types ofnonvolatile memory. Additional components of the IHS may include one ormore disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating withexternal devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, suchas a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The IHS may also includeone or more buses operable to transmit communications between thevarious hardware components.

As presented in FIG. 1, reduced-depth rack server 100 includes a datastorage device 106 having at least one electrical connector 108 on afront end 110 that typically is inserted first into the rack serverchassis 104. For example, the data storage device 106 may be a hard diskdrive (HDD) mounted within a carrier 112 that is received within therack server chassis 104 of the reduced-depth rack server 100. To presenta reduced depth, a longest dimension of the data storage device 106 isrotated a quarter turn (90°) within a carrier 112 to form a data storageassembly 102. The carrier 112 has a tray structure 114 including aservice panel 116 attached to two opposed side panels 118 a, 118 b and abottom panel 120. The tray structure 114 is sized to receive the datastorage device 106 in a sideways orientation. In one embodiment, theside panels 118 a, 118 b are substantially parallel to each other. Theat least one electrical connector 108 of the data storage device 106 isproximate to a selected lateral panel 118 a. In an exemplary aspect, thecarrier 112 maintains lateral dimension commonality with a longercarrier 122 of a larger size data storage device 124 (both shown inphantom) yet allows a rack server chassis 104 to have a reduced depth ina z-axis.

In an exemplary implementation, the larger size data storage device 124is a 3.5″ HDD whose longest dimension is longitudinally oriented intothe longer carrier 122, which thus may be referred to as a 3.5″ carrier.Certain configurations of a generally-known rack server may use 2.5″HDDs with their longest dimension in a Z-axis or longitudinalorientation. The same envelope size as the 3.5″ carrier may be used byintroducing an adapter 200 (FIG. 2). By contrast, the present innovationdiscloses a sideways orientation of the data storage device 106, whichmay be a 2.5″ HDD. The quarter turn given to the conventionalorientation can reduce the depth of the carrier 112 and thus reduce thespace allotted thereto in the chassis 104. A further reduction in depthin the Z-axis may be realized by selecting a smaller data storage device106, such as going from a 3.5″ HDD to 2.5″ HDD to even a 1.8″ HDD.

An interposer cable 126 of the data storage assembly 102 has a firstelectrical connector 128 electrically connected to the at least oneelectrical connector 108 of the data storage device 106, and theinterposer cable 126 also has a second electrical connector 130 attachedto one of the tray structure 114 and the data storage device 106directed towards an insertion end 134 of the data storage assembly 102in an orientation opposite to the service panel 116. In one embodiment,the interposer cable 126 includes a folded, L-shaped bus cable 136 thatis electrically connected between the first and second electricalconnectors 128, 130.

In FIGS. 1A and 2, the interposer cable 126 enables the sidewaysorientation of the data storage device 106 by interfacing to a backplane138, in particular with a receiving mating connector 140 of a hotpluggable bay 142 attached to the backplane 138. The rack server chassis104 has a front side panel 144 having a slot 146 (FIG. 1A) to receivethe insertion end 134 of the data storage assembly 102 in the rackserver chassis 104. The backplane 138 of the reduced-depth rack server100 electrically connects with the second electrical connector 130 ofthe interposer cable 126 in response to the tray structure 114 beinginserted. In one embodiment, the service panel 116 of the carrier 112includes a screw mount 148. In addition, a screw mount 148 may beappropriate for a high vibration or movement environment.

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of a data storage assembly 102′having a seismic gap 149 between the carrier 112 and the data storagedevice 106 is provided for shock mounting. The data storage device 106is allowed to float by using a dampener material, such as rubber grommet137, between the carrier 112 and the data storage device 106. Forexample, the rubber grommet 137 can be assembled on screw mountingpoints (not shown). The dampening material helps isolate the datastorage device 106 from the shock that occurs to a rack server chassis104 in which the data storage device 106 is installed. Thereby, the datastorage device 106 is not exposed to the same magnitude of shock.

The present disclosure allows for a mechanical change to shorten thechassis 104 while leveraging commonality with certain aspects of largerHDD carrier designs for mounting points. In one embodiment, use of afolded cable instead of printed circuit board (PCB) allows leverage ofZ-axis space with enhanced grommets for shock absorption. ‘Stack over’of data storage device 106 with regard to the backplane connector stackfurther reduces depth. The approach allows “shock mount” of the HDD intothe carrier such that the flex cable mates to the backplane, not theHDD. Thus the backplane does not absorb shock from the mass of the HDDbut only from the flex cable plugged into the backplane. In addition,the 2.5″ HDD carrier has a shorter Z-axis height than a 3.5″ carrierwhich reduces the blockage in the front of the chassis for improvedairflow or thermals.

With particular reference to FIG. 1, the data storage assembly 102 cancommunicate with any storage controller, such as via a PCIe connection.In an exemplary embodiment, the reduced-depth rack server 100 includes asouthbridge 150 that communicates over a SATA (Serial AdvancedTechnology Attachment) in mini SAS (Serial-Attached SCSI (Small ComputerSystem Interface)) connection 151 to the data storage assembly 102. Thesouthbridge 150 may communicate over a PCIe connection 152 to expansionslots 153 that receive expansion cards 154. The southbridge 150 maycommunicate over a desktop management interface (DMI) connection 155 toa first CPU 156. The southbridge 150 may communicate over a PCIeGeneration 2 connection 157 to a LAN input/output (I/O) 158, such asEthernet, which in turn connects to a local access network (LAN) 159.The southbridge 150 may communicate over a PCIe Generation 2 connection160 and a universal serial bus (USB) 161 to a remote access controller162, which in turn communicates over a management medium access channel(MAC) 163 and an SD2 connection 164 to port card 165 and over an SPI(serial peripheral interface) bus 166 to a front panel 167. A storagedevice 106 could be connected to any storage controller capable ofcommunicating through SATA or SAS protocols.

In one embodiment, the remote access controller 162 uses a networkingprotocol which provides out-of-band management facilities. The remoteaccess controller 162 has its own processor, memory, network connection,and access to the system bus. Key features include power management,virtual media access and remote console capabilities, all availablethrough a supported web browser or command line interface. This givessystem administrators the ability to configure a machine as if they weresitting at the local console.

The southbridge 150 may communicate over a video connection 168 to frontand rear video ports 169. The southbridge 150 may communicate over aUniversal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) connection 170 to aserial port 171. The southbridge 150 may communicate over a low pincount (LPC) bus 172 to both a trusted platform module 173 and thesouthbridge 150. The southbridge 150 may communicate over USBconnections 174 to peripheral devices 175, both internal and external toinclude internal dual secure digital modules. The southbridge 150 maycommunicate over a SATA bus 176 to data storage devices 177 such as tapebackup drives and optical drives.

Reduced-depth rack server 100 also includes CPUs, memory modules, andother functional components, as illustrated. First CPU 156 maycommunicate with memory modules 178, such as dual inline memory modules(DIMMs). The first CPU 156 may communicate over PCIe Generation 3connections 179 to expansion slot 180. The first CPU 156 may communicateover PCIe Generation 3 connections 181 to an internal redundant array ofindependent disks (RAID) controller 182. A second CPU 183 thatcommunicates over quick path interconnect (QPI) with the first CPU 156may also communicate with memory modules 178 and over a PCIe Generation3 connection 184 to expansion slot 185.

A power supply unit (PSU) 186 for the reduced-depth rack server 100 mayinclude power distribution board and power interface board functionssourced from a first power supply 187 and optionally a second powersupply 188. Power can be supplied to discrete components via a systempower connector 189, a backplane power connector 190, and a data storagepower connector 191.

FIG. 2 illustrates a generally-known data storage assembly 102 of a datastorage device 106 having dimensions of a 2.5″ HDD mountable to anadapter 200 for a 3.5″ hot pluggable bay 142 (FIG. 1). To present areduced depth, a longest dimension of the data storage device 106 isrotated 90° for mounting in the carrier 112 to form a data storageassembly 102. The carrier 112 can be a tray structure 114 including aservice panel 116 attached to two opposed side panels 118 a, 118 b and abottom panel 120. The carrier 112 is sized to receive the data storagedevice 106 in a sideways orientation. Unlike the generally-known adapter200, the carrier 112 does not include an empty portion that isunoccupied by the data storage device 106.

In one embodiment, the second electrical connector 130 is a SerialAttached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) connector of less than 8mm stack height to further reduce the depth of the data storage assembly102. An L-shaped bus cable 136 of the interposer cable comprises aflexible cable having a printed circuit board (PCB) of less than 0.5-0.6mm thickness.

FIG. 3 illustrates a data storage assembly 302 including a carrier 312having a cam lever 300 incorporated into a service panel 316 forselectively engaging a rack server chassis 104 (FIG. 1). Hard driveperformance can be affected by rotational vibration of systemcomponents. To help manage degradation of hard drive performance, hotplug carrier precedent is to reliably mate installed hard drive carriersto a chassis hard stop feature using a compressive load. In certainimplementations, servicing of the data storage assembly 302 is expeditedas compared to a screw mounting, which may be preferred inimplementations less subject to movement.

In one embodiment, the second electrical connector 130 extends from thedata storage device 106 and thus constrains the amount of reduction indepth that may be achieved. Generally-known SAS connectors that mayserve as the second electrical connector 130 are 8 mm in height. Thepresent disclosure contemplates that a 8 mm height SAS connector may bereconfigured to be 6 mm in height, allowing a reduction in the depth ofthe carrier 312. A bracket of plastic or metal can span across thecarrier 312 and over the data storage device 106 while holding thesecond electrical connector 130 in the correct location for matingproperly with the backplane 138 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 illustrates the storage assembly 402 with an alternate approachto reducing the height of the second electrical connector 130. In oneembodiment, at least a portion of the second electrical connector 130horizontally overlays one of a top and a bottom surface of the datastorage device 106 to further reduce the depth of the data storageassembly 402. Thus, a carrier 412 can be further reduced in depth by notextending beyond the first inserted portion of the data storage device106. An L-shaped interposer cable 126′ is dimensioned for the changedplacement of the second electrical connector 130.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example reduced-depth rack server 500 that can bereduced in depth by utilizing the data storage assembly 302. A rackserver chassis 304 is one rack unit (1U) wide in order to be generallycompatible with rack-based IHSs. In one embodiment, the reduced-depthrack server 500 includes a power distribution board shroud 503, acooling shroud 505, power supply units 507, storage controller card 509,a first expansion card riser 511, a second expansion card riser 513, anexpansion card 515, a heat sink 517 for a first processor, a heat sink519 for a second processor, twelve (12) dual inline memory modules(DIMM) 521, five (5) cooling fans 523, an optical drive 525, a controlpanel 527, a hard-drive backplane 529, cable routing latch 531, and apower distribution board 533. A front side 535 of the rack serverchassis 304 can be moved back in depth by an amount 537 to a reducedfront side 535′ due to the reduced depth of the data storage assembly302.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reduced-depth rack server 500 has four(4) 3.5″ HDDs that are hot pluggable from the front side 535 of the rackserver chassis 304. The width of a 3.5″ HDD is sufficient to hold a 2.5″HDD that is rotated by 90 degrees. By rotating the 2.5″ HDD 90 degrees,the rack server chassis 304 can be shortened by over 4″, allowing therack server chassis 304 to fit into a 20″ depth military specificationand telecommunication requirement. In one embodiment, even smaller HDDsmay be used. For example, a 1.8″ HDD in a sideways orientation wouldenable use of a correspondingly depth-reduced carrier and chassis. Byvirtue thereof, the reduced-depth rack server 500 can achieve a 17″chassis depth.

In an illustrative implementation, chassis depth is measured from rearchassis wall to the back of the rack ear. The starting pointgenerally-known rack server is 23.81″ (606.994 mm). An amount of 3.7″ ofdepth is removed by rotating the 2.5″ HDD sideways and by shortening therack server chassis 304 to the depth required for the sideways 2.5″ HDD.Recessing the SAS connector underneath the 2.5″ HDD buys another 0.35″depth in the chassis length. For further depth reduction, it is notedthat cam levers can be removed allowing encroachment on 0.750″ of depthotherwise occupied thereby.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top-loaded chassis 600 that receives the datastorage assembly 302 for a Just a Bunch of Disk (JBOD) implementation602. A single ‘planar’ style backplane 604 that the data storageassemblies 302 connect to when installed from the top eliminates theneed for individual backplanes, which reduces bill of material (BOM)costs and significantly improves airflow 608 over a backplaneorientation that extends into the space.

Storage solutions are becoming increasingly more important as “thecloud” and customer data requirements continue to grow. System HDDdensity is becoming a big challenge for system architects and engineersand is currently constrained by HDD carrier implementation. Hard drivecarriers limited to front and rear system access limit the number of hotswap drives that can be included in the system. Inserting hot swapdrives from the top of a top-loaded chassis 600 chassis overcomes thislimitation, creating an opportunity for higher density storage arrays.In particular, all of the interior of the top-loaded chassis 600 can bemade accessible. Since the smaller dimension of the data storageassemblies 302 is presented vertically, the top-loaded chassis 600 canremain within a standard two rack unit (2U) height.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for making a rack server having areduced depth. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a traystructure of a carrier having a service panel attached to two opposedside panels and a bottom panel (block 702). The method 700 includesinserting a longest dimension of a data storage device in a sidewaysorientation with at least one electrical connector of the data storagedevice proximate to a selected lateral panel (block 704). The method 700includes electrically connecting a first electrical connector of aninterposer cable to the at least one electrical connector of the datastorage device (block 706). The method 700 includes attaching a secondelectrical connector attached to one of the tray structure and the datastorage device directed towards an insertion end of the data storageassembly, in an orientation opposite to the service panel and aligned toelectrically connect with a backplane of a reduced-depth rack server(block 708).

In one embodiment, attaching the second electrical connector furtherincludes overlaying at least a portion of the second electricalconnector to one of a top and a bottom surface of the data storagedevice (block 710). The method 700 includes inserting the data storageassembly in a rack server chassis (block 712).

In one embodiment, the method 700 further includes: providing the secondelectrical connector as a serial attached small computer systeminterface (SAS) connector of less than 8 mm stack height; providing theinterposer cable including a flexible cable having a printed circuitboard (PCB) of less than 0.06 mm thickness; providing the service panelof the carrier having a screw mount; and providing the data storagedevice comprising a 2.5 inch hard disk drive.

In one embodiment, the method 700 further includes: providing a sidepanel having a slot to receive the insertion end of the data storageassembly in the rack server chassis; attaching a backplane to the rackserver chassis of the reduced-depth rack server; and inserting the traystructure to electrically connect the second electrical connector of theinterposer cable to the backplane. In a particular embodiment, themethod 700 includes: providing the side panel as a front side panel; andproviding a hot pluggable bay of the backplane to receive the insertionend of the data storage assembly.

In one embodiment, the method 700 includes: providing the side panel asa top side panel; providing a hot pluggable bay of the backplaneoriented to receive the data storage assembly aligned with airflow fromfront to back of the reduced-depth rack server; and attaching thebackplane in parallel alignment to a bottom side panel of the rackserver chassis.

In the above described flow chart of FIG. 7, one or more of the methodsmay be embodied in an automated manufacturing system that performs aseries of functional processes. In some implementations, certain stepsof the methods are combined, performed simultaneously or in a differentorder, or perhaps omitted, without deviating from the scope of thedisclosure. Thus, while the method blocks are described and illustratedin a particular sequence, use of a specific sequence of functionalprocesses represented by the blocks is not meant to imply anylimitations on the disclosure. Changes may be made with regards to thesequence of processes without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Use of a particular sequence is therefore, not to be takenin a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is definedonly by the appended claims.

One or more of the embodiments of the disclosure described can beimplementable, at least in part, using a software-controlledprogrammable processing device, such as a microprocessor, digital signalprocessor or other processing device, data processing apparatus orsystem. Thus, it is appreciated that a computer program for configuringa programmable device, apparatus or system to implement the foregoingdescribed methods is envisaged as an aspect of the present disclosure.The computer program may be embodied as source code or undergocompilation for implementation on a processing device, apparatus, orsystem. Suitably, the computer program is stored on a carrier device inmachine or device readable form, for example in solid-state memory,magnetic memory such as disk or tape, optically or magneto-opticallyreadable memory such as compact disk or digital versatile disk, flashmemory, etc. The processing device, apparatus or system utilizes theprogram or a part thereof to configure the processing device, apparatus,or system for operation.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system,device or component thereof to the teachings of the disclosure withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote anyorder or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are usedto distinguish one element from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thedescribed embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explainthe principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a reduced-depth rack server,the method comprising: forming a tray structure of a carrier having aservice panel attached to two opposed side panels and a bottom panel;inserting a longest dimension of a data storage device in a sidewaysorientation with at least one electrical connector of the data storagedevice proximate to a selected lateral panel; electrically connecting afirst electrical connector of an interposer cable to the at least oneelectrical connector of the data storage device; and attaching a secondelectrical connector attached to one of the tray structure and the datastorage device directed towards an insertion end of the data storageassembly in an orientation opposite to the service panel and aligned toelectrically connect with a backplane of a reduced-depth rack server inresponse to the tray structure being inserted in a rack server chassis.2. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching the second electricalconnector further comprises overlaying at least a portion of the secondelectrical connector to one of a top and a bottom surface of the datastorage device.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: attachinga backplane to the rack server chassis a reduced-depth rack server; andinserting the tray structure to electrically connect the secondelectrical connector of the interposer cable to the backplane.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprises providing a hot pluggable bay ofthe backplane to receive the insertion end of the data storage assembly.5. A data storage assembly for the reduced-depth rack server of claim 1,the data storage assembly comprising: a data storage device having atleast one electrical connector on a front end; and a carrier comprising:a tray structure having a service panel attached to two opposed sidepanels and a bottom panel, the tray structure sized to receive a longestdimension of the data storage device in a sideways orientation, with thefront end having the at least one electrical connector being insertedsideways relative to an orientation of a backplane of a chassis of thereduced-depth rack server in which the carrier is inserted, with the atleast one electrical connector proximate to a selected lateral panel andnot directed towards an insertion end of the data storage assembly; andan interposer cable having a first electrical connector electricallyconnected to the at least one electrical connector of the data storagedevice and having a second electrical connector attached to one of thetray structure and a side of the data storage device directed towards aninsertion end of the data storage assembly in an orientation opposite toan entry to the service panel, the second electrical connector toelectrically connect with a backplane of the reduced-depth rack serverin response to the tray structure being inserted in the reduced-depthrack server chassis.
 6. The data storage assembly of claim 5, wherein atleast a portion of the second electrical connector overlays one of a topand a bottom surface of the data storage device.
 7. The data storageassembly of claim 5, wherein the second electrical connector comprises aSerial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) connector of lessthan 8 mm stack height.
 8. The data storage assembly of claim 5, whereinthe interposer cable comprises a flexible cable having a printed circuitboard (PCB) of less than 0.06 mm thickness.
 9. The data storage assemblyof claim 5, wherein the service panel of the carrier comprises a screwmount.
 10. The data storage assembly of claim 5, wherein the datastorage device comprises a 2.5 inch hard disk drive.
 11. An informationhandling system comprising a reduced-depth rack server for a reduceddepth rack, made according to the method of claim 1, the reduced-depthrack server comprising a rack server chassis that contains a backplaneand including: a data storage assembly comprising: a data storage devicehaving at least one electrical connector on a front end; and a carriercomprising: a tray structure having a service panel attached to twoopposed side panels and a bottom panel, the tray structure sized toreceive the data storage device in a sideways orientation, with thefront end having the at least one electrical connector being insertedsideways relative to an orientation of a backplane of a chassis of thereduced-depth rack server in which the carrier is inserted, with the atleast one electrical connector proximate to a selected lateral panel andnot directed towards an insertion end of the data storage assembly; aninterposer cable having a first electrical connector electricallyconnected to the at least one electrical connector of the data storagedevice and having a second electrical connector attached to one of thetray structure and a side of the data storage device directed towards aninsertion end of the data storage assembly in an orientation opposite tothe an entry to service panel to electrically connect with the backplaneof the reduced-depth rack server in response to the tray structure beinginserted.
 12. The information handling system of claim 12, wherein atleast a portion of the second electrical connector of overlays one of atop and a bottom surface of the data storage device.
 13. The informationhandling system of claim 12, wherein the second electrical connectorcomprises a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS)connector of less than 8 mm stack height.
 14. The information handlingsystem of claim 12, wherein the interposer cable comprises a flexiblecable having a printed circuit board (PCB) of less than 0.06 mmthickness.
 15. The information handling system of claim 12, wherein theservice panel of the carrier comprises a screw mount.
 16. Theinformation handling system of claim 12, wherein the data storage devicecomprises a 2.5 inch hard disk drive.
 17. The information handlingsystem of claim 12, wherein the backplane comprises a hot pluggable bayto receive the insertion end of the data storage assembly.